This is how a book should be written. Almost perfect. The range of topics covered related to Siachen by the author are vast and the depth of most of the topics is fantastic. The author gives the reader details behind the history and the operations related to Siachen. His description of some of the scenes are so vivid that he puts the reader on the peaks next to the soldiers carrying out the combat operations. The story covers the geography and the history of the area. It tells us about the genesis of the conflict, especially the cartographic war carried out by our neighbor that sparked this round of conflict between us. He mentions how first the German/Japanese mountaineering expeditions and then the information from our spies that Pakistan was buying mountaineering clothes in international markets, heightened the fear amongst Indian Military planners of an impending occupation by Pakistan of the heights of Siachen. Unlike 1947, 1965 or 1999 India carried out the operations a few weeks ahead of Pakistan's move into the area! The initial operations were carried out by mere platoons! And for months, if not years, the situation was fluid and if the Pakistan had mounted a large enough offensive we would not have been able to hold on to the area as thoroughly as we do today. It was also fascinating to hear about the logistics issues and the medical issues that affect us at those heights. I was also fascinated to learn that situation is much better for our soldiers and that the costs of maintaining those soldiers has come down as we have built motorable roads going quite a distance and also as the quality of our equipment has steadily improved. The author makes a clear case that without clear demarcation of the line of control there is no reason for us to withdraw. The area is of strategic importance even if not a single blade of grass grows up there. The only negative I find is that occasionally the author is prone negative comments about the PM who had the most impact on this issue, our Iron Lady Indira Gandhi, related to other issues of 1980s that seem out of place in this context. Nonetheless I must commend Mr. Gokhale for writing a very fine book. The grammar and prose is of high quality. Pictures are beautiful. Well done. This book is worth adding to my collection.